About the WTO
Accord sur les marchés publics
En 2012, de nouveaux progrès ont été accomplis sur les accessions à l’AMP en instance, y compris celles de la Chine et de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Par ailleurs, le Comité des marchés publics, qui administre l’Accord, a suivi l’entrée en vigueur de l’Accord révisé adopté par les parties en 2012 (voir page 32). Le statut d’observateur a été accordé à quatre pays supplémentaires. La demande de formation technique concernant l’AMP continue de croître, ce qui témoigne d’un intérêt grandissant pour l’accession.
Programa de Embajadores de la Juventud de la OMC
En 2012 la OMC nombró a sus dos primeros Embajadores de la Juventud, las estudiantes Ankita Mishra, de la India, y Karina Hehs, del Brasil, ganadoras del concurso al mejor ensayo y al mejor vídeo, respectivamente, sobre el tema “¿Cómo puede el comercio promover el desarrollo?”.
Contactos con el público
El número de visitantes del sitio Web de la OMC sigue creciendo. En la actualidad recibe casi 1,4 millones de visitas al mes. Además, más de 151.000 personas se han inscrito para recibir avisos por correo electrónico cada vez que se actualiza el sitio. La OMC atrae asimismo a un número creciente de seguidores en sus páginas en los medios sociales, como Facebook, Twitter y YouTube. La OMC recibe numerosas preguntas y observaciones por correo electrónico (más de 40.000 en 2012) y recibió en sus oficinas a lo largo de 2012 a más de 180 grupos de visitantes. A lo largo del año la OMC publicó más de 100 títulos nuevos.
The design of international trade agreements
In Section B we discussed a range of reasons why nations may share an interest in cooperating with one another in trade matters. In this section we extend the analysis to examine fundamental issues of treaty design, focusing on two main questions. First, what are the core rules that any good trade agreement must contain so as to reap the envisaged benefits from cooperation? Second, how does the creation of a formal organization (or institution) ensure the effectiveness of rules and foster the objectives of an agreement?
Commerce des services
En 2012, le Conseil du commerce des services s’est encore penché sur les questions relatives aux technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC), notamment le commerce électronique et l’itinérance mobile internationale. La transparence a été une autre question importante à l’ordre du jour du Conseil, et les Membres ont examiné comment il serait possible d’améliorer le respect du processus de notification. La Jamaïque a été le dernier Membre de l’OMC à ratifier le cinquième Protocole annexé à l’AGCS, relatif au commerce des services financiers.
Is the WTO dispute settlement mechanism important to business?
I have been working at a Japanese steel company for over 20 years on various investment and trade matters, including a number of trade disputes that have been brought before the dispute settlement system of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the following chapter, I offer a personal perspective on the subject: ‘Business and the WTO dispute settlement mechanism’.
Portail intégré d’information commerciale (I-TIP)
Le portail intégré d’information commerciale (I-TIP) constitue une interface unique pour accéder à tous les renseignements recueillis par l’OMC concernant les mesures de politique commerciale. I-TIP, qui rassemble des renseignements sur plus de 25 000 mesures, couvre les mesures tarifaires et non tarifaires qui affectent le commerce de marchandises et contient des renseignements sur les engagements pris par les Membres de l’OMC dans le cadre de l’accession. Dans le courant de 2013, le portail sera élargi au commerce des services ainsi qu’à d’autres domaines. I-TIP a été pour la première fois mis à la disposition du public lors de la Journée des données, qui a eu lieu à l’OMC le 16 janvier 2013.
Septième conférence ministérielle (CM7)
La septième Conférence ministérielle de l’OMC s’est tenue à Genève (Suisse) du 30 novembre au 2 décembre 2009 et a été présidée par M. Andrés Velasco (Chili).
Standards and Trade Development Facility
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) – the Aid for Trade vehicle to help developing countries implement sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards – continued to raise awareness, mobilize resources, strengthen collaboration and identify and disseminate good practice to enhance the effectiveness of SPS-related technical cooperation. It also provided support and funding for the development and implementation of projects that promote compliance with international SPS requirements. An independent review of the STDF reported that “the results are impressive and a testament to the effective operation of the STDF”.
Geneva to Seattle, 1998–1999
The timing of the Second Ministerial Conference of the WTO at Geneva in 1998, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the GATT, divided the three years between the Singapore and Seattle meetings neatly in two. This was a greater frequency of ministerial meetings than planned, but there was a great deal of work to do to manage the huge WTO agenda, and issues in the public debate surrounding ‘globalization’ were becoming politically more sensitive all the time.
WTO Data Day
The first edition of WTO ‘Data Day’ took place on 18–19 May 2009. This inter-agency initiative aimed to raise awareness on the use and interpretation of trade-related statistical data, familiarize users with data applications, draw attention to continuing needs for data, and promote coherence and cooperation among international agencies that manage data.
Aid for Trade
Aid for Trade continues to mobilize international resources. Although commitments slipped 14 per cent to US$ 41.5 billion in 2011, according to the latest available figures, they are still 57 per cent above the 2002-05 baseline period. This increase continues to be “additional” – that is, new money and not funds switched from other aid commitments. The Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade in July focused on “connecting to value chains”. In December, the WTO’s Ministerial Conference reiterated the mandate given to the Director-General to pursue actions in support of Aid for Trade.
Contact with the business community
In 2013, the WTO undertook a number of initiatives to strengthen WTO relations with business, including launching on the WTO website an area dedicated to the business community. The 2013 Public Forum, “Expanding trade through innovation and the digital economy”, attracted significant business interest. The WTO co-organized the first dedicated regional seminar for the private sector in the Arab region. The business community was well represented in Bali at the WTO’s Ninth Ministerial Conference.
Prix du meilleur article décerné par l'OMC à de jeunes économistes
En avril 2009, le Secrétariat de l'OMC a créé le Prix du meilleur article décerné par l'OMC à de jeunes économistes. Ce prix, qui est assorti d'une récompense de 5 000 CHF, vise à promouvoir la recherche économique de haute qualité sur l'OMC et les questions la concernant, et à renforcer la relation entre l'OMC et les milieux universitaires.
Message du Directeur général de l’OMC, M. Pascal Lamy
Quand le commerce en était encore à ses débuts, les marins se fiaient à la fois à leur connaissance de la navigation, à leur courage et à leur instinct pour se frayer un passage à travers les eaux tumultueuses. Plus tard, la technologie a transformé la navigation autour du globe, mais la nécessité fondamentale de tenir le cap sur une mer déchaînée n’a pas changé.
Comercio y desarrollo
En la Conferencia Ministerial de Bali, los Ministros convinieron en establecer un Mecanismo de Vigilancia para analizar la aplicación de las disposiciones sobre trato especial y diferenciado para los países en desarrollo que figuran en los Acuerdos de la OMC.
Évolution de la politique commerciale
Depuis le dernier rapport annuel de l’OMC, la situation du commerce et, partant, les conditions d’élaboration de la politique commerciale, sont devenues beaucoup plus difficiles. Les effets de la crise financière et économique touchant les marchés émergents et de la récession économique au Japon sont loin d’avoir été pleinement surmontés et influent sur la répartition de la croissance économique mondiale, ainsi que sur les courants d’échanges et les marchés des produits de base (chapitreII). Toutefois, bien que l’on ait ici ou là fait marche arrière dans la libéralisation du commerce, le système commercial multilatéral – pour autant que le montre l’évolution des politiques commerciales – semblait, en septembre 1998, avoir assez bien résisté aux soubresauts des marchés financiers et commerciaux.
Examens des politiques commerciales
En 2016, l’Organe d’examen des politiques commerciales (OEPC) a examiné les politiques et pratiques commerciales de 23 Membres de l’OMC. Depuis sa création en 1989 jusqu’à la fin de 2016, il a procédé à 452 examens visant 153 des 164 Membres de l’OMC. En 2016, les Membres sont convenus d’apporter de nouvelles modifications au Mécanisme d’examen des politiques commerciales, notamment d’ajuster la fréquence des examens.
Actividades de divulgación para parlamentarios
En 2011 se celebró por primera vez en la OMC la Conferencia Parlamentaria anual sobre la OMC, organizada por la Unión Interparlamentaria y el Parlamento Europeo. La Secretaría de la OMC siguió distribuyendo su boletín periódico a un número cada vez mayor de parlamentarios. También organizó dos talleres regionales para parlamentarios en cooperación con asociados regionales.
Trade facilitation
A major milestone for the global trading system was reached on 22 February 2017. The first multilateral trade deal concluded in the 21-year history of the WTO entered into force when the WTO obtained the necessary number of acceptances from the WTO’s 164 members for the Trade Facilitation Agreement to take effect.
Agricultural issues in the Doha Development Agenda negotiations
Agricultural negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) began in 2000, before the launch of the Doha Development Agenda. Together with the negotiations in the services sector, the agricultural negotiations were part of the ‘built-in agenda’ agreed in the Uruguay Round. Agriculture is the key to making progress in the Doha Development Agenda, or it may lead to its unravelling. Without movement in the agricultural negotiations, movement in the other areas will be unlikely.
Budget, finances et administration
Le Comité du budget, des finances et de l’administration a examiné les rapports sur la situation financière et budgétaire de l’OMC et poursuivi sa discussion concernant l’examen stratégique de l’Organisation qui a été lancé en 2013. Un Bureau du contrôle interne (BCIn) a été établi en novembre.
Outside looking in, after many years on the inside looking out
Like many of the other authors in this book, I would like to offer some personal reflections about the role of lawyers and the rule of law in the WTO dispute settlement system. In my particular case, these reflections are provided from the perspective of someone now engaged in the private practice of what has come to be known as ‘WTO law’.
Dispute settlement
WTO members bring disputes to the WTO if they think their rights under trade agreements are being infringed. Settling disputes is the responsibility of the Dispute Settlement Body.
Secretaría de la OMC
La Secretaría de la OMC, que tiene sus oficinas en Ginebra, cuenta con una plantilla de 640 funcionarios incluidos en el presupuesto ordinario, y está encabezada por el Director General Pascal Lamy. Dado que son los Miembros de la OMC los que adoptan las decisiones, la Secretaría no tiene facultades decisorias. Sus principales cometidos son ofrecer apoyo técnico y profesional a los distintos consejos y comités, prestar asistencia técnica a los países en desarrollo, vigilar y analizar la evolución del comercio mundial, facilitar información al público y a los medios de comunicación y organizar las conferencias ministeriales. Además, la Secretaría presta algunas formas de asistencia jurídica en los procedimientos de solución de diferencias y asesora a los gobiernos que desean adherirse a la OMC
Organization, secretariat and budget
The World Trade Organization came into being in 1995, as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which had been established (1947) in the wake of the Second World War. The WTO’s main objective is the establishment of rules for Members’ trade policy which help international trade to expand with a view to raising living standards. These rules foster non-discrimination, transparency and predictability in the conduct of trade policy.
Ayuda para el Comercio
En 2010, la labor del CCD en este ámbito se centró en la ejecución del Programa de Trabajo sobre la Ayuda para el Comercio correspondiente a 2010-2011, con la participación de un gran número de asociados y organizaciones. La OMC y la OCDE también comenzaron los preparativos del Tercer Examen Global de la Ayuda para el Comercio, previsto para julio de 2011.
Regional trade agreements
In 2011, the WTO received 25 new notifications, little change on the previous year, involving 15 regional trade agreements (RTAs). Slightly more than half the new RTAs were between developed and developing partners, extending a trend that has emerged in recent years. The Americas was the region with the highest number – eight.
Premio OMC de Ensayo para Jóvenes Economistas
Los galardonados en la séptima edición del Premio OMC de Ensayo para Jóvenes Economistas fueron Christoph Boehm, Aaron Flaaen y Nitya Pandalai-Nayar por su artículo conjunto sobre el papel que desempeñan las cadenas de suministro mundiales en la transmisión de choques de un país a otro. Los ganadores compartieron el premio, dotado con 5.000 francos suizos. El resultado del concurso se anunció el 10 de septiembre de 2015 en la Conferencia Anual del European Trade Study Group, celebrada en París.
Origins
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) which had been set up over 40 years earlier to oversee the rules of trade. The aim of the WTO is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. Whereas the GATT only dealt with trade in goods, the WTO covers trade in goods and services as well as trade-related intellectual property rights. It also oversees strengthened rules for the settlement of disputes between members.
WTO Essay Award for Young Economists
The WTO Essay Award for Young Economists was shared in 2011 by a Brazilian and an American. Economists Rafael Dix-Carneiro, a Brazilian who is based in the United States, and Kyle Handley were chosen by the Academic Selection Panel for articles on trade and labour markets and on trade policy uncertainty. They share the prize money.
Streamlining South Africa’s export development efforts in sub-Saharan Africa: A Decision Support Model approach
Given its abundant natural resources and accelerating consumer-driven growth, sub-Saharan Africa has much to offer investors and traders. Yet the region remains weakly integrated into global and regional value chains, due to, among other things, geographical disadvantages, infrastructural shortcomings, high transport costs and difficult-to-access market intelligence – all of which add to the cost of trade. While not an insignificant player in international business and trade circles, South Africa is facing shrinking demand in its traditional export markets and has to plot a new economic course after decades of overreliance on commodity exports and value-added imports. This chapter looks at how a market selection tool, the Decision Support Model (DSM), can streamline the process of identifying export opportunities, particularly at an intra-regional level. Covering both products and services, and adaptable to different countries’ circumstances, the DSM simplifies market selection decisions by pinpointing both short- and longer-term business opportunities in high-potential sectors, while also exposing market access barriers that could become the focus of specific efficiency-enhancing interventions. In this way, the DSM can be a valuable aid to trade facilitation.
Rapports de suivi du commerce
Les quatre rapports établis par le Secrétariat au nom du Directeur général ont montré que, malgré la crise financière et économique, les Membres de l'OMC ont généralement continué à résister aux pressions protectionnistes en 2011. Pourtant, ces pressions augmentent, de même que les risques pesant sur l'économie mondiale. Les perspectives du commerce mondial se sont assombries, et il est probable que les exportations mondiales augmenteront moins que prévu.
Actividades de solución de diferencias en 2010
En 2010, el OSD recibió 17 notificaciones de Miembros en las que se solicitaba formalmente la celebración de consultas en el marco del ESD, la primera etapa del procedimiento de solución de diferencias. Se reunió en 13 ocasiones a lo largo del año y estableció 6 grupos especiales para pronunciarse sobre 7 asuntos nuevos (normalmente, en los casos en los que se presentan 2 o más reclamaciones en relación con el mismo asunto, un único grupo especial se pronuncia sobre esas reclamaciones). Asimismo, el OSD adoptó 5 informes de grupos especiales y 2 del Órgano de Apelación relativos a 5 asuntos diferentes. En 2010 se notificó una solución mutuamente convenida.
L’Organe d’appel
L’année 2015 a été particulièrement chargée pour l’Organe d’appel, qui a présenté onze rapports dans sept affaires distinctes. À la fin de 2015, il avait distribué au total 138 rapports. Trois procédures d’arbitrage concernant le délai raisonnable pour la mise en oeuvre des recommandations et décisions de l’Organe de règlement des différends (ORD) ont été menées à bien en 2015. L’ORD a reconduit deux membres de l’Organe d’appel, Ujal Singh Bhatia (Inde) et Thomas Graham (États-Unis), pour un deuxième mandat de quatre ans.
Organization, secretariat and budget
The World Trade Organization came into being in 1995, as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which had been established (1947) in the wake of the Second World War. The WTO’s main objective is the establishment of rules for Members’ trade policy which help international trade to expand with a view to raising living standards. These rules foster non-discrimination, transparency and predictability in the conduct of trade policy.
A country boy goes to Geneva
My journey to becoming a member of the Appellate Body began in Itu, a small town in the countryside of the state of São Paulo, in Brazil, a former Portuguese colony – where I was born. Portuguese traditions remain alive in the activities of the Brazilian state, especially in the judicial branch. Tribunals and judges unconsciously act as if they were still the sovereign’s representatives, and install their courts in buildings that resemble real palaces. Lawyers and the general public address judges as ‘your excellency’, and when they appeal to the courts they do so as if the judges were granting them a favour, instead of securing a right that derives from the constitution or the law.
Trade policy without trade facilitation: Lessons from tariff pass-through in Tunisia
This chapter evaluates the extent to which changes in tariffs and in international prices were transmitted into consumer prices in Tunisia over the period 2000– 2008. A pass-through equation is estimated using sectoral panel data at the retail product level and controlling for unobserved sectoral heterogeneity. The main results show that, on average, tariff pass-through (TPT) is 10 per cent and it varies across sectors. In particular, agricultural products seem to be driving the results. In summary, the change in Tunisian tariffs has affected local prices, but the effect is lower in magnitude than that found for other developing countries. This is in part due to imperfect competition and state interventions by means of subsidies and price controls that prevent the full transmission of changes in international prices. This research suggests that, for Tunisia, trade facilitation measures and sectoral actions to facilitate the business environment could positively impact on the passthrough effect and that reductions in border prices could have higher effects on retail prices, which, in turn, contribute to increase domestic welfare and generate inclusive development.